Masters action report: Lefty to miss cut is a popular pick

The sun is starting to shine on Augusta National as players prepare to tee off for the 77th Masters Thursday.

We get a last-minute action report on which golfers are drawing the most money to not only win the tournament outright but also for the bevy of prop wagers available.

Tiger Woods and his return to championship form is the big draw for golf fans. Woods was as high as +800 to win the Masters before winning three tournaments on the season. He’s been bet down to +400 with most of the money buying up Woods between 4-1 and 5-1 prices.

Woods is the favorite ahead of Phil Mickelson (+1,100), Rory McIlroy (+1,200) and Justin Rose (+1,600) to win the tournament. McIlroy has slid back in the odds due to his recent troubles and bettors aren’t drawn to him like past majors.

“McIlroy has been backed, but not as much as we would expect,” Aron Black of Bet365.com told Covers. “However, given his slide in form with new clubs and struggles for most of the year so far, the performance last week saw him get action, but compared to last year as a fave, not near as much on him this year.”

Among those outside the favorites drawing action are Adam Scott (+2,800 down to +2,200), Keegan Bradley (+3,000 down to +2,200), Bubba Watson (+4,000 down to +3,500), and Ian Poulter (+4,500).

“A lot of support from the UK and Europe given how he performed at last year’s Ryder Cup,” Black says of Poulter. “He’s as good as the best when on form, but an often volatile player when it comes to form.”

One golfer not getting any love from golf bettors is 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel, who is priced at +2,200 – a good value for any bettor putting weight on experience at Augusta National.

“Normally, all former winners who are still of a good age - not too old - are normally well backed,” says Black. “But Charl Schwartzel is not seeing support, which is surprising given his game suits the course.”

As for the numerous prop bets available at Augusta, one that is surprising sportsbooks is “Player to miss the cut” and public’s pick of Mickelson, who can be had at +700 to miss the cut at the 2013 Masters.

“’Phil The Thrill’ is getting backed to miss the cut, which is surprising given he’s normally very solid at Augusta in recent years,” says Black. “Obviously he’s a green jacket winner and third favorite in the outright at +1200, but there is support for him to be very poor this year and not make the cut.”

Other props drawing money is Steven Fox to finish as the best amateur (+260 down from +333), Russell Henley (+750) and Nicolas Colsaerts (+450) to finish as the top debutant, and the Under 64 (+225) on the lowest score for a round.

“A lot of people hoping that someone has a really good round at some point,” says Black.

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1* Under Rangers/Jets (8:05 ET): I anticipate that the linesmakers could drop this number to an even 5.0 goal total, so perhaps you may want to bet this one Under quickly. You might be surprised at this because the Rangers have gone Over in five straight games while the Jets have gone Over in three straight. But tonight should be a different story.

The Rangers allowed three goals in the third period in Sunday's loss to the Capitals, which shouldn't happen again, regardless if it's Henrik Lundqvist or Cam Talbot in net. I think what's happened the last few games is a post playoff-clinch "hangover." Tonight, on the road, the team should be more focused. New York is 11-6 Under this season on the road when the total is 5.5.

As for the Jets, they'd allowed two goals or fewer in six of seven games prior to Sunday's 4-3 loss to Chicago (I had Over there). Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec had a 1.15 GAA his previous six starts before taking that loss. Lay the juice to get the 5.5 for this one. 1* Under Rangers/Jets

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